Preview — Dutch's Boy
by Xavier Axelson

Dutch's Boy

Fulfilling your dream isn’t easy, especially if you’re the son of well-known rodeo rider Dutch Reynolds. Dutch doesn’t want to see his son Harry leave the family ranch until he feels Harry is ready. But for Harry, his dream of riding broncos at the rodeo seems to be passing him by. With the moral support of his best friend Reb, Harry takes his life in his own hands and leaFulfilling your dream isn’t easy, especially if you’re the son of well-known rodeo rider Dutch Reynolds. Dutch doesn’t want to see his son Harry leave the family ranch until he feels Harry is ready. But for Harry, his dream of riding broncos at the rodeo seems to be passing him by. With the moral support of his best friend Reb, Harry takes his life in his own hands and leaves the ranch before Dutch can stop him. Chance encounters, sex and love soon teach the young cowboy life lessons that he will not forget....more

Community Reviews

I picked this wild west story due to the publisher, Seventh Window Publications, but sadly it didn’t that well for me. The setting seems to blend historical and contemporary times while offering a lot of sex scenes between metaphors about finding yourself. The message isn’t bad but it’s also obvious with easy resolutions everywhere. The initial concepts are intriguing but the writing is basic and the characters aren’t given enough depth and interest to really make this sing for me.

Harry is the sI picked this wild west story due to the publisher, Seventh Window Publications, but sadly it didn’t that well for me. The setting seems to blend historical and contemporary times while offering a lot of sex scenes between metaphors about finding yourself. The message isn’t bad but it’s also obvious with easy resolutions everywhere. The initial concepts are intriguing but the writing is basic and the characters aren’t given enough depth and interest to really make this sing for me.

Harry is the son of a well known rodeo personality, Dutch. Dutch doesn’t want his son out on the rodeo, he wants him at home taking care of the land and family that Dutch is too busy to take care of himself. Harry is intimidated by his semi-famous father but finally gathers his courage to run off to the rodeo on his own. At the same time Harry is discovering his sexuality and attraction to long time friend Reb but must first face the specter of his father to really attain his dream.

The plot is pretty basic and well known. A young man must break away from a controlling father to really live his dream in the rodeo. It’s not a bad thing that it’s a well used and known plot but unfortunately the story offers very little fresh or new perspectives. The added element of Harry exploring his sexuality should have added depth to the narrative but instead becomes an excuse for several sex scenes that add very little to the plot or character development. These scenes again aren’t necessarily bad but they don’t really add much to the story in general, other than the heat level which is likely to please readers. Harry doesn’t struggle with his sexuality but instead laconically accepts his desires and seeks outlets to explore.

The characters are decent but never stray from their predictable boxes. Harry’s father Dutch is the classic controlling father but his total reversal at the end of the story makes little to no sense. It’s a nice resolution but annoying in its predictability given that it doesn’t fit the characterization up until that point. It’s an easy solution to wrap up the problems but not really true to the story or characters. Likewise the magical moment with the horse makes for a nice metaphor about Harry finding himself and achieving his dream but it comes across as slightly corny and hokey for me. I wanted to really appreciate the point but the writing never offers the subtly and depth that would accomplish that.

The setting is a combination between historic and contemporary. I’m not sure why someone would be taking a train to the rodeo and worried about their guns so I thought it was a historical but it’s clearly a contemporary story so the blending of the setting gives a confused air. I’m not entirely sure what the point of this was other than to reinforce the western feel to the story. The descriptions of the rodeo, horses, and love of the land certainly come through and the romance between Reb and Harry, while easy, is a nice touch to the story. There’s no doubt their commitment is real and strong and together they’re likely to last. I wish the story would have expanded on their connection as it really makes reading this entertaining and more interesting than the plot about Harry and his father.

Overall I’d recommend this to horse/wild west readers that like a lot of sex to their western stories. The issues with the plot may not bother some readers who are looking for a light, easy, forgettable read heavy on the erotica. There’s potential here but the writing lets it down for me unfortunately. As always other readers’ opinions vary so decide for yourself....more

Harry has always lived under Dutch's rules. At 20 he's tired of sitting home and taking care of his ma and sister while his daddy, Dutch, lives the life of a rodeo star. Harry has always followed his daddy's rules While he waits for his chance he teaches himself to rope and ride. He knows that one day he'll follow in his daddy's footsteps. He was born to ride, it's in his blood. After all he's Dutch's boy.When Harry finally decides enough is enough he takes every dime he's made and boards a traiHarry has always lived under Dutch's rules. At 20 he's tired of sitting home and taking care of his ma and sister while his daddy, Dutch, lives the life of a rodeo star. Harry has always followed his daddy's rules While he waits for his chance he teaches himself to rope and ride. He knows that one day he'll follow in his daddy's footsteps. He was born to ride, it's in his blood. After all he's Dutch's boy.When Harry finally decides enough is enough he takes every dime he's made and boards a train for the Rodeo. He's more than ready to make it on his own. He's going to be a rodeo star and nothing will stop this determined young man. Though he's excited to start his new life he has to leave behind the one thing almost as important to him as freedom, his best friend Reb.

Dutch's Boy is an amazing tale of a young man coming of age and chasing after his dreams. The characters are well developed, the setting rich and the storyline, while not unique, is well written. Xavier Axelson creates characters you can't help but fall in love with. His wit and humor are a perfect mix to the romance and the sex scenes scorching hot! The characters are not perfect which makes them even more enduring. This is a short story, only about 80 pages but it leaves you wanting more! I want to know everything about Reb and what makes him such an amazingly loyal and lovable friend. Where did he come from, why can he love so big? I hope that Mr. Axelson will be writing more about these two amazing men in the future! I'll be the first one standing in line!!

4 Stars - Dutch's Boy was, at the end, a deeper story than I had expected; which is rather silly, because Xavier Axelson first book I’d read did the very same thing. It’s very nice to know that this seems to be a facet of his writing; it’s definitely something I enjoy a lot.

In this book, Harry is tired of sitting and doing what his father tells him. He has dreams and plans that aren’t going anywhere and the frustrations this twenty-year-old is feeling are nigh onto exploding… and taking no priso4½ Stars - Dutch's Boy was, at the end, a deeper story than I had expected; which is rather silly, because Xavier Axelson first book I’d read did the very same thing. It’s very nice to know that this seems to be a facet of his writing; it’s definitely something I enjoy a lot.

In this book, Harry is tired of sitting and doing what his father tells him. He has dreams and plans that aren’t going anywhere and the frustrations this twenty-year-old is feeling are nigh onto exploding… and taking no prisoners. Thank heavens for his friend Reb; although, this too, is becoming a problem for Harry. Not Reb himself, but Harry’s feelings for his best friend. They have been changing and now friendship is the least of what Harry wants. But he knows he has to leave before he does or says something that will irrevocably change their relationship. This is the very last thing he wants.

It’s Reb’s support that allows Harry to break free; inertia is not just for objects, but something that we all have to deal with and be able to do something about. And this is a big part of what Reb does for Harry. Of course it helps that his mother is behind him too. She knows that her son is capable and that, as an adult, he needs to leave and strive to live his dream.

What makes Axelson’ book Dutch’s Boy so special is that in only 80-some pages he takes us from a beginning where Harry’s sense of hopelessness is almost overwhelming to an ending that satisfies on all levels. There were a couple of twists that I could not have foreseen, and at the time I couldn’t understand where, if anywhere, the author—or rather Harry—was headed. But once again, Xavier Axelson delivers not only a very enjoyable romance, but a story, that to me, has a deeper meaning: that taking chances to live a dream can bring the biggest rewards of all… and that is very special indeed.

I like cowboy stories. There's something rather sexy about a man in chaps and so I was looking forward to read this offering from Seventh Window Publications. The story involves young cowboy Harry who's trying to escape from under the shadow of his overbearing rodeo star father, Dutch, and strike out on his own in the rodeo circuit. That's not easy though when Harry's never been away from home before. Fortunately he has the help of his best friend, Reb, and a determination to succeed.

This novellI like cowboy stories. There's something rather sexy about a man in chaps and so I was looking forward to read this offering from Seventh Window Publications. The story involves young cowboy Harry who's trying to escape from under the shadow of his overbearing rodeo star father, Dutch, and strike out on his own in the rodeo circuit. That's not easy though when Harry's never been away from home before. Fortunately he has the help of his best friend, Reb, and a determination to succeed.

This novella had a strong start. Harry's a great character and I was quickly drawn into his story of the frustrations at being forced to stay at home when he wants to spread his wings. It's very much a coming of age story too, with Harry leaving home for the first time and discovering the joys of sexual freedom alongside the troubles of striking out on his own path. The first section where Harry leaves, the train journey to the rodeo and the people he interacts with on the way was realistic. I liked the mix of confidence and uncertainty in Harry especially when he meets Blake, a man on the train, who we are never quite sure Harry should be trusting. That element of danger worked well alongside Harry's innocence.

The relationship between Harry and Reb was another highlight. Harry has loved his friend for some time but tries to hold back and deny his feelings. When things begin to happen between them, it was not only very erotic, but their feelings for each other gave the sex scenes a romantic edge. I thought it interesting that later in the story we find things out about Reb's family in the way he is treated by the other characters and it was a shame that I didn't get more information about that as it would have helped to flesh out the character of Reb, who comes across as just a lover and champion of Harry, but not much more.

Once Harry arrives at the rodeo, the book didn't work as well for me. I think this is mainly because the focus shifted more onto Harry's sexual awakening rather than the rodeo and Harry's introduction to that world. I was left wishing I could have had less sex and more descriptions of the rodeo, of the people there, of the atmosphere and, most of all, of the bronco ride that Harry takes part in towards the end of the book. Or maybe keep the sex but add the detail! As it is the rodeo section is woefully glossed over with the action happening off page. This left me rather disappointed and feeling cheated out of what could have been an exciting and action-packed scene. Another thing that puzzled me is when the story is set. It seemed like a contemporary but there were some odd omissions like a lack of mobile phones. Plus the story had a very old-fashioned feel to it in the attitudes of the characters. Maybe that's because it's set in a part of the world where things are a little old-fashioned but it just struck me as a little strange.

That doesn't mean this is a bad book. It isn't. The plot skips along a fast pace, the characters are interesting - Harry especially is well rounded and sympathetic. The tension between Harry and his father is another plus point, and added nicely to the whole 'coming of age' theme. However, I was left longing for more in terms of detail both of the setting and of the character of Reb. If you like cowboy stories and want something quick and hot to read then this book should be just right for you and I shall keep my eye out for other books by this new-to-me author....more

Reviewed by Kerri:Usually when reading a book, I find some things about it that I like and other things that I don't.

I will say that the author can put together an interesting story. Sadly, I felt the writing itself took away from it. While moving through the pages, I felt I was being told a story and not shown. The whole show vs tell arguement springs to mind. I didn't get into the story like I should have, and that also left me with not being able to connect with the characters. I just wasn'tReviewed by Kerri:Usually when reading a book, I find some things about it that I like and other things that I don't.

I will say that the author can put together an interesting story. Sadly, I felt the writing itself took away from it. While moving through the pages, I felt I was being told a story and not shown. The whole show vs tell arguement springs to mind. I didn't get into the story like I should have, and that also left me with not being able to connect with the characters. I just wasn't drawn in.

A very hot sweet story. (If there is such a thing)Harry is trying to find his "way" in the rodeo world and daddy Dutch is trying to set up road blocks for Harry.

I really loved this book, wished it was longer. I can hope hope for more on Harry & Reb and more on the rodeo circuit. Who doesn't love a hot cowboy and his horse?. Wouldn't mind a story on Blake. Now I could really get into Blake. Sex on a train? Now that's hot!!I highly recommend this book!!

A well written, coming-of-age story that I thoroughly enjoyed... until the repetitive use of a similar but incorrect word, which should have easily been picked up in editing, tore me out of the story time and again. Such a shame.

Harry and Reb’s heartwarming and sexy relationship unquestionably appeals to the reader’s romantic side, and the ending of their story is absolute perfection. To read the rest of this review, http://www.blackravensreviews.com/?p=...